CDT Code D2980: Crown Repair Procedure

June 11th, 2021 | 4 min. read

Have you ever faced confusion when applying a CDT code to crown repair procedures? Keeping up with CDT codes can feel overwhelming, but it's important to understand for accurate claim submission and general compliance.

At Dental ClaimSupport, our goal is to help dental practices collect more from their insurance claims. Correctly applying CDT codes is a part of that puzzle. Through the years, having assisted dental team members with thousands of coding questions, we have found that there is a lack of thorough understanding of crown repair procedure codes and their utilization - specifically CDT code D2980.

In this article, we will clear up that confusion and explain how to apply CDT code D2980 for a crown repair procedure.

While a tooth crown can remain in service for decades, a crown may eventually need to be repaired and sometimes replaced completely - so this is a scenario you will face often as a dental professional. You'll walk away from this article understanding the definition of CDT code D2980, when to use it, and whether or not insurance will pay on a crown repair.

What is CDT code D2980?

The code D2980 documents and reports the repair of a single natural tooth crown due to material failure. The type of restorative material makes no difference in the code nor how the crown is repaired. It is important to note the nomenclature of code D2980 was revised a few years ago to include the words “necessitated by restorative material failure”.

D2980 crown repair necessitated by restorative material failure

Scenario: Patient presents with the porcelain fractured off of a crown. The composite material was used to repair the fractured crown restoring the crown to its original function and aesthetics.

It is appropriate to document the scenario described using code D2980 because the material (porcelain) failed.

Can I use CDT code D2980 when repairing a bridge?

No. D2980 is for single crown repairs. The repair of a retainer crown or a pontic component of a fixed partial denture (FPD), commonly referred to as a bridge, is documented using D6980.

As with D2980, D6980 is not indicated for the repair of an implant-supported retainer crown, only a retainer crown supported by a natural tooth. Code D6980 was revised a few years ago when D2980 was revised to specifically state “necessitated by restorative material failure”.

D6980 fixed partial denture repair necessitated by restorative material failure

Can I use CDT codes D2980 or D6980 to document & report the closure of an endodontic access hole?

No, D2980 is not appropriate for reporting the closure of an endodontic access hole. Prior to the revision of D2980 and D6980, this code was used to document and report the closure of an endodontic access hole.

Creating an access hole in a crown or retainer crown for the purpose of performing endodontic treatment on the tooth is not considered to be a restorative material failure. It is an error to document the closure of an endodontic access hole using D2980.

So, how is the closure of an endodontic access hole documented? Consider documenting and reporting this procedure using the appropriate one-surface restorative code such as:

D2391 resin-based composite - one surface, anterior

D2330 resin-based composite - one surface, posterior

D2140 amalgam - one surface, primary or permanent

Dental insurance reimbursement - will insurance pay for crown bridge repair?

Dental plan reimbursement varies by plan design. When reporting D2980 crown repair or D6980 bridge repair, it is helpful to include a narrative describing the repair along with a pre-operative intraoral image of the crown.

Including the narrative and pre-operative image will increase the chances of receiving reimbursement, when the procedure is a covered service of the plan.

What you know about code D2980 -- and all codes -- helps your office get paid for everything you’ve earned. When you use the latest coding knowledge, you can generate reliable, profitable, legitimate dental insurance income for your practice.

Want to feel confident about your dental coding skills?

You now understand how you would use CDT code D2980 for a crown repair procedure. Understanding how to properly code can make a huge difference in your insurance claims income. The more confident and accurate you are with your codes, the less likely you'll face claim denials.

As always, accurately document and report what you do, regardless of insurance coverage or not. Utilize radiographic and intraoral imaging to support the medical necessity of the crown or bridge repair service.

Build your knowledge of codes and best practices and see your dental claims get paid faster. Learn about training programs (and CE credit) at our Dental Claims Academy.

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